Tourism Cluster Topic 1 | Tourism Activity 1.1 Tourism System
Learning Overview
In this sub-topic you will learn:
What a tourism system is.
Key Points
A tourism system comprises three interconnected components:
Tourist generating regions.
Tourist destination regions.
Transit routes.
The volume and direction of travel between regions are influenced by transit routes.
The movement of tourists from a generating to a destination region occurs due to a combination of push-pull factors.
Tourists, businesses, and organisations at tourist generating and destination regions are interdependent.
Tourism activities interact with nature, communities, and economies in the local environment and beyond.
Changes to any part of the tourism system could affect the local and wider environment, and vice versa.
Content Concepts
Tourist
A person who makes a trip outside his/her usual environment for leisure or personal purposes.
The trip may be completed within the same day or may last several days, requiring overnight stays.
Classifications of Tourists
Domestic tourists: Tourists who travel within their own country.
International tourists: Tourists who travel abroad to another country.
Tourism System
Tourist Generating Region
The region where tourists come from, and where people and businesses that offer tourism products and experiences are based.
Examples: origin of the tourists.
Tourist Destination Region
The region which attracts tourists. Attractions, amenities, and facilities which cater to the needs of tourists are located here.
This region experiences the consequences of tourism development.
Transit Route (Region)
The region or route a tourist travels through to reach their destination.
It links the tourist generating and destination regions and includes stopover points which might be used for convenience or because of the existence of attractions.
Example Diagram
Figure 1: A diagram showing the components in a tourism system.
Functionality of Tourism System
These components function to enable people to travel from tourist generating to destination regions.
They are interconnected; each component can affect and be affected by the other components.
Influence of Transit Routes on Travel
The availability of transit routes influences:
The volume of travel: Limited or inconvenient transit routes may result in low travel volume.
The direction of travel: More available transit routes may shift the preferred direction of travel.
Example: Lack of direct flights from Singapore to Brazil leads to fewer tourist arrivals from Singapore to Brazil.
Example: Travelers may choose transit routes (like traveling to Bangkok before Singapore) for convenience, bypassing more direct options.
Push-Pull Factors in Tourism
Push Factors at Generating Regions
Stressful work environments.
Unpleasant living environments (e.g., overcrowding, pollution).
Lack of recreational and entertainment options.
Pull Factors at Destination Regions
Scenic beauty, events (concerts, festivals), and attractions that provide positive experiences.
Examples: Relaxation activities at destinations draw tourists away from stressful environments.
Interdependence of Tourism Entities
Tourists, businesses, and organizations are mutually dependent:
Tourists depend on services from tour operators for trip planning.
Tour operators rely on hotels for accommodations.
Hotels depend on tour operators for client referrals.
Interaction of Tourism with Local Environment
Tourism can positively or negatively affect local nature, communities, and economies:
Responsible tourist activities can support local economies.
Negative examples include environmental degradation due to irresponsible waste disposal.
Statistics:
Tourism contributed more than US$4 trillion to the global economy in 2020.
Tourism contributes to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Shifts in environments and economic situations impact tourist flows.
Conclusion
Changes in any part of the tourism system may lead to varied impacts on the local and wider environment.
E.g., Economic downturn may reduce demand for travel, affecting transit routes and destination revenues.
Conversely, increased attractions may enhance destination appeal, leading to increased tourist arrivals and revenue.
Tourism Cluster Topic 1 | Tourism Activity 1.2 Reasons that Led to the Growth of Tourism
Learning Overview
In this sub-topic you will learn about:
The reasons that led to the growth of tourism.
Key Points
Factors contributing to tourism growth include:
Motivation to travel.
Ability to travel.
Mobility in travel.
Content Concepts
Motivation to Travel:
A set of needs satisfied by traveling, created by a combination of push and pull factors at generating and destination regions.
Ability to Travel:
Conditions allowing individuals to make trips.
Mobility in Travel:
The ease and convenience of moving to tourist destinations.
Factors for Tourism Growth (Figure 1)
Motivation to Travel:
Need for relaxation, personal growth, discovery of unique experiences.
Ability to Travel:
Increase in disposable incomes, leisure time, business innovations, lower transport and accommodation costs, expanded public transport.
Impact of Motivation on Tourism Growth
Increasing Motivation to Travel
Relaxation
Increased life pressures drive people to travel for stress relief.
Example: British tourists visit Phuket, Thailand for relaxation activities.
Personal Growth
Traveling opportunities promote self-growth and learning new skills,
Example: Cooking schools in Bali for learning local cuisine.
Religious pilgrimage tourism: E.g., over 2 million Muslims travel to Mecca annually.
Unique Travel Experiences
Tourists seek to explore less-traveled destinations and new activities.
Social media plays a significant role in promoting unique destinations.
Example: Increased tourism to Antarctica due to new cruise services.
Motivation Diversity
Travel motivations vary significantly among individuals, with many fulfilling multiple needs simultaneously.
Examples:
Scuba diving fulfills relaxation and adventure needs.
Different activities appeal to various motivations (e.g., whale watching for some is relaxing and for others an adventure).
Impact of Ability to Travel on Tourism Growth
Economic and Social Factors
Disposable Incomes:
Economic growth has increased incomes, fueling tourism demand, especially in developing nations like China and India.
Example: International departures in China grew from 9 million in 1999 to 154 million in 2019.
Leisure Time:
Increased paid leave and holidays has expanded opportunities for travel.
Example: China introduced paid leave on Fridays to boost domestic tourism.
Business Innovations:
Innovations, including online bookings and tour packages, have made travel more affordable and accessible.
Example: Thomas Cook popularized tour packages for mass tourism.
Lower Transport Costs:
Budget airlines have reduced travel costs significantly.
Example: AirAsia's affordability has made Southeast Asia travel more accessible.
Lower Accommodation Costs:
Options like AirBnB offer diverse and competitive lodging choices, increasing travel affordability.
Tourism Cluster Topic 1 | Tourism Activity 1.3 Development of Tourist Destination Regions over Time
Learning Overview
In this sub-topic, you will learn about:
How tourist destination regions develop over time.
Key Points
A tourist destination region develops over time, progressing through various stages:
Exploration.
Involvement.
Development.
Consolidation.
Stagnation.
Decline.
Rejuvenation.
Content Concepts
Carrying Capacity:
The maximum number of visitors a tourist destination can accommodate without causing negative effects.
Stages of Tourism Development (Figure 1)
The tourism industry is dynamic; destinations evolve through at least six stages:
Exploration
Involvement
Development
Consolidation
Stagnation
Decline
Rejuvenation
Exploration and Involvement Stages
Exploration Stage:
Low tourist arrivals, usually by adventurous travelers.
Minimal contributions to the local economy.
Example: Jacó Island in Timor-Leste, with natural attractions but limited accessibility and facilities.
Involvement Stage:
Increase in tourist numbers due to tourism promotion and improved facilities.
Economic contributions from tourism begin to rise.
Example: Kuang Si Waterfalls in Laos, with improved facilities boosting tourist numbers.
Development and Consolidation Stages
Development Stage:
Significant annual tourist growth, with arrivals exceeding locals.
Tourism dominates the local economy.
Example: Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam with substantial infrastructural investment and tourism growth.
Consolidation Stage:
Growth in tourist arrivals slows down but remains substantial.
Large multinational companies often dominate hotel ownership.
Example: Goa in India, where foreigners outnumber locals.
Stagnation, Decline, and Rejuvenation Stages
Stagnation Stage:
Peak tourist arrivals followed by decline, potentially surpassing the carrying capacity.
Decline Stage:
Attractions may deteriorate; fewer visitors.
Example: Hawaii's tourism dropped in the early 2000s due to overcrowding and aging facilities.
Rejuvenation Stage:
Investment aimed at renewing attraction, often through marketing and facility upgrades.
Example: Blackpool, UK engaging local investment to boost appeal.
Conclusion
Not all destinations follow the stages linearly; some may skip stages or experience varied development trajectories.
Understanding these stages helps in planning for sustainable tourism development.
Tourism Cluster Topic 1 | Tourism Activity 1.4 Different Personality Characteristics of Tourists
Learning Overview
In this sub-topic, you will learn:
How different personality characteristics of tourists affect tourist destination regions.
Key Points
Personalities of tourists fall on a spectrum:
A small proportion are at either end (Dependables and Venturers), with most having mixed characteristics.
Personality influences travel patterns, affecting the popularity of destinations.
Venturer-type tourists typically influence decisions made by Dependable-type tourists.
Content Concepts
Personality Types of Tourists
Dependables:
Prefer predictable experiences, often stick to familiar places and structured activities.
Characteristics:
Cautious spending.
Guided by authority in travel decisions.
Favor mass tourism and well-developed facilities.
Example: Family-oriented tourists exploring established resorts.
Venturers:
Seek diverse and exploratory experiences, preferring spontaneity.
Characteristics:
Spend money more freely.
Take personal initiative in travel planning.
Tend to visit unique or less-developed destinations.
Example: Backpackers looking for adventure and culture.
Personality Types Spectrum (Figure 2)
The spectrum illustrates that few tourists are at extremes, many possess traits from both ends.
Influence of Personality on Travel Patterns
Personality shapes preferences and choices, which in turn influences destination features and tourist activities.
Example: Mongolia primarily attracts Venturer-type tourists due to its developing infrastructure.
Evolution of Tourist Destinations
Personality influences destination development over time.
As Venturer-type tourists introduce trends, destinations may cater more towards Dependables, leading to changes in tourism features and attractions.
Targeted development strategies, such as enhancing convenience and attraction for Dependables, may shift the destination profile.
Conclusion
Understanding tourist personalities helps stakeholders develop destinations effectively by meeting diverse consumer needs.
Tourism Cluster Topic 2 | Tourism Development 2.1 Trends in Tourism
Learning Overview
In this sub-topic, you will learn about:
The trends in tourism.
Key Points
Key trends include:
Growing diversity in international tourism.
Changing demand for unique and lesser-known experiences.
Emerging new forms of tourism such as adventure, heritage, sports, and health tourism.
Shift from traditional marketing to online platforms.
Content Concepts
Globalisation: The increasing interconnectedness influenced by trade, politics, culture, and technology.
Second Cities: Lesser-known destinations that offer unique tourism experiences.
Mass Market Tour Operators: Companies providing package tours for large groups.
Specialist Tour Operators: Focus on niche tourism experiences.
Niche Travel: Tourism catering to specific interests, such as whale watching.
Influence of Globalisation on Tourism Trends
Growth of International Tourism:
Globalisation has led to greater accessibility and motivation for travel.
Increased competition drives better value propositions from tourism service providers.
Greater public motivation stemming from availability of information about diverse destinations.
Example: Media influence boosting travel popularity to places like King's Cross Station due to the Harry Potter franchise.
Diverse Tourist Regions:
Traditional hotspots remain popular, but Asia-Pacific regions like China, Thailand, and Malaysia are gaining traction.
International tourist demographics are becoming increasingly diverse, including more visitors from developing nations.
Changing Demand for Tourism
Lesser Known Destinations:
Travelers are increasingly seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Advancements in accessibility make remote areas more attractive.
Example: Increased interest in Antarctica, spurred by cruise service availability.
Emerging Tourism Experiences:
Demand for focused tourism experiences—adventure, heritage, sports, health—has grown:
Adventure Tourism: Active experiences in nature (e.g., Mount Everest trekking).
Heritage Tourism: Cultural and historical attractions (e.g., Machu Picchu).
Sports Tourism: Attending or participating in sporting events (e.g., Premier League matches).
Health Tourism: Seeking medical or wellness-related services abroad (e.g., cosmetic procedures in South Korea).
Changing Supply of Tourism
Specialised Operators:
Growth of specialist operators complementing mass-market offerings.
They focus on niche markets and personalized experiences—catering to smaller groups.
Example: Quark Expeditions for Arctic tours.
Innovative Marketing Strategies:
Shift from print and television marketing to online platforms, increasingly essential for tourism services.
Example: Klook's use of social media for promotions reaches a larger audience effectively.
Conclusion
Understanding and adapting to these trends allows tourism stakeholders to meet evolving consumer demands efficiently, fostering sustainable tourism development strategies.